My darling, let me help

Cameron's a young bartender for a relatively large city and meets a young party planner named Esda. She goes to the bar everday after work, sits in the same place and orders the same drink. A month after the two meet, they go to Esda's apartment and just sit there talking to each other. Cameron learns of Esda's dark history and listens to what she's seen over they're time together. He decides he can't leave her side and helps to the best of his ability
View table of contents...

Chapters:

Everyday a woman comes into the bar and sits at
the same stool. It's the same times everyday, 8 in the evening
until closing time. It's been this way since I began working here
a month ago. I know her by name now, Esda. I've memorized what
she drinks because it's the same, all the time, rye and coke.
Esda doesn't leave drunk, but she does leave looking happier than
she was when she first arrives.

As I look at the clock I see that it's already
8:00 and the bell that hangs above the door chimes. My head turns
over and Esda walks in wearing her high waisted skirt and her
button up shirt with a jacket in hand. Esda's high heels click
against the hard wood floor as she walks over to her stool and
takes her rightful place.

I toss my rag across my shoulder and walk over to
Esda who sits there patiently waiting. All I can think as I walk
over is how beautiful she is with her big brown eyes and her long
curled dark brown hair. Esda's skin is so fair she would probably
get the worst burn if she stayed in the direct sunlight for an
hour.

"Good evening, Esda," I greeted the young woman
with a warm smile like I would everyday. Esda glanced up at me
and forced a smile. It seems to be this way everytime I greet
her. You can tell by the vacant look in her eyes that she has
seen things she wishes she hadn't.

Esda folded her hands on the bar top and flipped
her hair out of her face with a simple movement of her head.
"Hello Cameron," Esda responded still playing off the obvious
false happiness. "The usual, please," Esda said without me even
having to ask.

With a quick nod, I went to work on mixing Esda's
drink. Everytime I got the chance to I'd look in Esda's
direction, but everytime I'd look she would be on her iPhone
texting non-stop.

I set a coaster infront of Esda before setting the
glass upon it and once again, gave Esda a warm smile. "Just get
off work?" I asked curiosly as I set my hands on the counter
infront of me and leaned over to Esda.

Esda merely nodded and continued to text with one
hand. The other hand picked up the glass as she began sipping at
the drink. "What do you do?" I asked again trying to strike up a
conversation.

The glass was set back down on the coaster and
Esda unglued her eyes from her phone for a moment only to reply,
"I'm a party planner."

"Oh, that must be fun! Getting to plan parties and
such," I said with a grin. Never before had I met a party
planner. But it makes me wonder, if working such a fun job, why
does she come in everyday looking the way she does?

"No, it's stressful. There's always someone who
isn't happy with what I've done and wish to sue me. They cannot
though because they aren't the ones paying for the party," Esda
told me as her eyes went back to her phone. The glow from the
phone finally put some light on her face and I could see the bags
under her eyes. I couldn't notice such a thing before due to the
dim lighting in the bar.

I stood up right and just examined Esda for a
moment. "Why be a party planner if it's so stressful?" I asked as
I folded my arms across my chest. Being a bartender is stressful
enough with having to deal with so many drunk people. I could
never imagine doing Esda's job.

Esda set her phone down on the bar top with a
sigh. "What's with all the questions tonight Cameron?" Esda
questioned me in return this time.

It was very unexpected and my face flushed. I
almost felt embarrassed by it. "Well, you're here for awhile
every day and you never seem to talk to anyone when here, so I
decided I'd start a conversation with you. But I'll stop if you
want," I said awkwardly.

"Well, I'll tell you what, after your shift, we'll
go to my apartment, I'll make coffee and you can ask as many
questions as you would like," Esda said and leaned against the
back of the bar stool, mirroring my stance and crossed her arms
over her chest.

I was taken back by the response I recieved and
just nodded in response. I wasn't expecting that from her, ever.
"Alright, we'll do that I guess..." I replied rubbing my hand
against the side of my face. I was starting to wonder if this was
a dream or not.

Esda gave me another forced smile before going
back to her phone and her drink. I was guessing it was an
indication for me to leave her alone until I got off my shift, so
I would do just that and I could only hope that the time would go
by quickly.